Lighthouses of North America: exploring their history, lore & science by Lisa Trumbauer and
Lighthouses for Kids: history, science and lore with 21 activities by Katherine L. House both have a bit of everything.

They include chapters about lighthouse keepers and their families, the science behind the big lights and the evolution towards more powerful and more dependable lights. There are construction stories to make your hair stand on end and some fascinating histories and nuggets of information.

Also both include lots of activities to do with the science of lighthouses, knots and poems.

The illustrations in Lighthouses of North America are a mix of photos and cartoons and there is a very good clear map at the back which shows the location of every lighthouse referred to in the text. Lighthouses for Kids has black and white photos, and I guess my only disappointment is in the quality of paper inside this book, where the cover promises so much.

Lighthouses of North America is a very inviting book indeed. Lighthouses for Kids is perhaps less so simply because of its inside appearance – but they both have rich stories to tell and are sure to fascinate the curious mind.

Lighthouses of North America is recommended for ages 7 to 14.
Lighthouses for Kids is aimed at a slightly older age group - from approximately age 12 and up.

Reviewed by Beth

Lighthouses of North America: exploring their history, lore & science published by Williamson Books
Lighthouses for Kids: history, science and lore with 21 activities published by Chicago Review Press